Remembering Helen Thomas

Helen Thomas, the irrepressible White House correspondent who used her center, front row seat of history to grill 10 presidents, died Saturday, July 20, 2013, at the age of 92

By compiled from wire photos

on July 20, 2013 8:46 PM

Photo: Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images

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In this Aug. 2, 2006, file photo, President Bush, right, greets veteran White House correspondent Helen Thomas during the final briefing in the press briefing room in the West Wing of the White House in Washington before its renovation. Thomas, a pioneer for women in journalism and an irrepressible White House correspondent, has died Saturday, July 20, 2013. She was 92. less

In this Aug. 2, 2006, file photo, President Bush, right, greets veteran White House correspondent Helen Thomas during the final briefing in the press briefing room in the West Wing of the White House in ... more

In this May 12, 1963, file photo, reporter Helen Thomas asks President John F. Kennedy for copies of his announcement pledging Federal power to preserve order and lives in Birmingham, Ala., during a news conference at the White House in Washington. Thomas, a pioneer for women in journalism and an irrepressible White House correspondent, has died Saturday, July 20, 2013. She was 92. less

In this May 12, 1963, file photo, reporter Helen Thomas asks President John F. Kennedy for copies of his announcement pledging Federal power to preserve order and lives in Birmingham, Ala., during a news ... more

In this Sept. 30, 1971, file photo, President Richard Nixon laughs with UPI reporter Helen Thomas, left, and AP reporter Douglas Cornell during an impromptu reception in Washington. Thomas, a pioneer for women in journalism and an irrepressible White House correspondent, has died Saturday, July 20, 2013. She was 92. less

In this Sept. 30, 1971, file photo, President Richard Nixon laughs with UPI reporter Helen Thomas, left, and AP reporter Douglas Cornell during an impromptu reception in Washington. Thomas, a pioneer for women ... more

In this Oct. 20, 1979, file photo, President Jimmy Carter and press secretary Jody Powell, right, talk with reporters Helen Thomas, center, and Sam Donaldson, left, while aboard Air Force One prior to landing at Andrews Air Force Base, Md. Thomas, a pioneer for women in journalism and an irrepressible White House correspondent, has died Saturday, July 20, 2013. She was 92. less

In this Oct. 20, 1979, file photo, President Jimmy Carter and press secretary Jody Powell, right, talk with reporters Helen Thomas, center, and Sam Donaldson, left, while aboard Air Force One prior to landing ... more

In this April 13, 1981, file photo, President Ronald Reagan greets UPI reporter Helen Thomas, center, and AP reporter Jim Gerstenzang, right, before an interview in the Treaty Room of the White House in Washington. Thomas, a pioneer for women in journalism and an irrepressible White House correspondent, has died Saturday, July 20, 2013. She was 92. less

In this April 13, 1981, file photo, President Ronald Reagan greets UPI reporter Helen Thomas, center, and AP reporter Jim Gerstenzang, right, before an interview in the Treaty Room of the White House in ... more

This file photo shows reporter Helen Thomas as she questions former US President Ronald Reagan during a press conference at the White House 19 March,1987 in Washington, DC. This was the first press conference that Reagan had held since 19 November 1986, six days before the disclosure that profits from arm sales to Iran were diverted to the Contras. less

This file photo shows reporter Helen Thomas as she questions former US President Ronald Reagan during a press conference at the White House 19 March,1987 in Washington, DC. This was the first press conference ... more

In this Jan. 21, 1989, file photo, President George H. Bush speaks with reporters, including Helen Thomas, right, in Washington. Thomas, a pioneer for women in journalism and an irrepressible White House correspondent, has died Saturday, July 20, 2013. She was 92. less

In this Jan. 21, 1989, file photo, President George H. Bush speaks with reporters, including Helen Thomas, right, in Washington. Thomas, a pioneer for women in journalism and an irrepressible White House ... more

In this Aug. 4, 1995, file photo, President Clinton "interviews" UPI White House correspondent Helen Thomas in the White House briefing room in Washington. Thomas, a pioneer for women in journalism and an irrepressible White House correspondent, has died Saturday, July 20, 2013. She was 92. less

In this Aug. 4, 1995, file photo, President Clinton "interviews" UPI White House correspondent Helen Thomas in the White House briefing room in Washington. Thomas, a pioneer for women in journalism and an ... more

In this Aug. 4, 2009, file photo, veteran White House reporter Helen Thomas, left, celebrates her 89th birthday with President Barack Obama, celebrating his 48th birthday, in the White House Press Briefing Room in Washington. Thomas, a pioneer for women in journalism and an irrepressible White House correspondent, has died Saturday, July 20, 2013. She was 92. less

In this Aug. 4, 2009, file photo, veteran White House reporter Helen Thomas, left, celebrates her 89th birthday with President Barack Obama, celebrating his 48th birthday, in the White House Press Briefing Room ... more

In this Nov. 12, 2008 file photo veteran White House correspondent Helen Thomas is helped to her front row seat in the White House Brady Press Briefing Room in Washington, as she returns after a recent illness. Thomas, a pioneer for women in journalism and an irrepressible White House correspondent, has died. She was 92. She made her name as a bulldog for United Press International in the great wire-service rivalries of old. Thomas used her seat in the front row of history to grill nine presidents _ often to their discomfort and was not shy about sharing her opinions. less

In this Nov. 12, 2008 file photo veteran White House correspondent Helen Thomas is helped to her front row seat in the White House Brady Press Briefing Room in Washington, as she returns after a recent illness. ... more

Long-time White House correspondent Helen Thomas takes up her seat on the front row of the remodeled James S. Brady Press Briefing Room in the West Wing of the White House July 11, 2007 in Washington, DC. The briefing room was closed for about one year to update broadcast technology, remove asbestos and remodel the space. less

Long-time White House correspondent Helen Thomas takes up her seat on the front row of the remodeled James S. Brady Press Briefing Room in the West Wing of the White House July 11, 2007 in Washington, DC. The ... more

In this photo taken Oct. 16, 2007, veteran White House correspondent Helen Thomas smiles as she leaves the White House after attending a briefing. Thomas, a pioneer for women in journalism and an irrepressible White House correspondent, has died. She was 92. A friend said Thomas died at her apartment in Washington on Saturday morning. Thomas made her name as a bulldog for United Press International in the great wire-service rivalries of old. She used her seat in the front row of history to grill nine presidents _ often to their discomfort and was not shy about sharing her opinions. She was persistent to the point of badgering; one White House press secretary described her questioning as "torture" _ and he was one of her fans. less

In this photo taken Oct. 16, 2007, veteran White House correspondent Helen Thomas smiles as she leaves the White House after attending a briefing. Thomas, a pioneer for women in journalism and an irrepressible ... more

In this Feb. 25, 2009, file photo veteran White House correspondent Helen Thomas listens as White House Press Secretary Robert Gibbs answers her question during his daily press briefing in Washington. Thomas, the irrepressible White House correspondent who used her center, front row seat of history to grill 10 presidents, died Saturday, July 20, 2013, at the age of 92. She pushed open the doors for women at the White House Correspondents' Association dinner, when at her urging, President John F. Kennedy refused to attend the 1962 dinner unless it was open to women for the first time. Thomas fought, too, for a more open presidency, resisting all moves by a succession of administrations to restrict press access. "People will never know how hard it is to get information," she told an interviewer, "especially if it's locked up behind official doors where, if politicians had their way, they'd stamp TOP SECRET on the color of the walls." less

In this Feb. 25, 2009, file photo veteran White House correspondent Helen Thomas listens as White House Press Secretary Robert Gibbs answers her question during his daily press briefing in Washington. Thomas, ... more

Reporter Helen Thomas (C) arrives at the White House Correspondents' Association dinner on May 1, 2010 in Washington, DC. The annual dinner featured comedian Jay Leno and was attended by President Barack Obama and First Lady Michelle Obama. less

Reporter Helen Thomas (C) arrives at the White House Correspondents' Association dinner on May 1, 2010 in Washington, DC. The annual dinner featured comedian Jay Leno and was attended by President Barack Obama ... more